When asked last week about his vacant right tackle position, head coach Charlie Weis tossed praise toward Paul Duncan, but only because the freshman had held the spot that day in practice. For now, the only battle Duncan is winning against Brian Mattes and Mike Turkovich is the one based on alphabetical order.

Duncan knows it will take more than that for him to replace Mark LeVoir this fall as the Irish offensive line fills its one opening.

“I’d say we’re pretty even,” Duncan said of his competition with Mattes and Turkovich. “Going into fall it’s going to start over. Everyone is going to have a fair chance with all the guys getting reps.”